Unicycle training attachment



April 8, 1969 ST CLAIR N E 3,437,351

UNICYCLE TRAINING ATTACHMENT Filed Feb. 9, 1967 FIG. 4.

ST CLAIR NEWBERN I VE TOR W ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 3,437,351 Patented Apr. 8, 1969 3,437,351 UNICYCLE TRAINING ATTACHMENT St. Clair Newbern, 3705 W. Vickery, Fort Worth, Tex. 76107 Filed Feb. 9, 1967, Ser. No. 614,920 Int. Cl. B62k 1/00; B6211 N US. Cl. 280-205 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to unicycles and has reference to a training attachment therefor. Learning to ride a unicycle is somewhat diflicult and the usual procedure, when learning, is to place the back of the unicycle wheel against a block with pedal cranks parallel with the ground. The rider then stands behind the unicycle, holding the seat with one hand and holding an assistants hand with the other. The rider then sits on the seat and places his feet on the pedals. He then releases the assistants hand and attempts to keep his balance while sitting on the seat and pedaling at the same time. If the rider leans too far forward the unicycle will dart in a backward direction, causing the rider to fall forward. Falling forward does not usually injure the rider because he can break his fall with his hands and arms. However, when the rider leans too far back, the unicycle darts forward, causing the rider to fall on his back and possibly injure his head. Another problem for the beginner is letting the unicycle fall when he loses control, and then tripping over it. When riding, the rider holds out his arms and moves them about to maintain his balance. Thus, when he loses control, there are no convenient means for grasping the unicycle and holding it up. At such time, of course, the rider has managed to place his feet on the ground after losing control of the unicycle.

Heretofore, it has been suggested that unicycles be provided with auxiliary training wheels and conventional handle bars whereby, at times, the rider might ride on two wheels. Such prior auxiliary wheels and handle bars were suggested as permanent parts of unicycles. Obviously, after a person has mastered the art of riding a unicycle, all extraneous equipment is undesirable. Moreover, conventional transverse handle bars would interfere with the riders falling free and forward when the unicycle darts backwards.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a demountable attachment which aids a beginner when learning to ride a unicycle.

Another object of the invention is to provide means which will lend confidence to a beginner because he will know that he will not fall backward and injure himself.

Another object is to provide an attachment which makes it easier for beginners to mount a unicycle unassisted.

A further object is to provide a handle of a design which the rider may grasp when he loses control to keep the unicycle from falling, yet which handle will not interfere with the riders falling forward when the unicycle darts rearwardly.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a unicycle and a preferred form of the invention attached thereto.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged broken sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of a unicycle showing a modified form of the invention attached thereto, and

FIGURE 4 is a broken plan view of the rear portion of the unicycle and attachment illustrated in FIGURE 3.

The unicycle shown in the drawing is comprised of a wheel 10, pedals 11, pedal cranks 12, the inner ends of which are connected with an axle 13 rigid with the wheel. A fork 14 straddles the wheel 10 and the extending ends of the fork provide journals for the axle 13 between the sides of the wheel and the pedal cranks 12. When the unicycle is in use the forks 14 are in an upright position and extending upwardly from the forks and directly above the wheel 10-, there is a tubular post 15 which adjustably receives a seat post 16 on which a seat 17 is mounted.

The attachment illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 is comprised, primarily, of a length of generally S-shaped metal tubing 18. Within the scope of the invention instead of the tubing 18 a solid rod, not shown, may be used and if used, is to be construed as an equivalent. The tubing 18 is positioned over the wheel 10 and in the plane defined thereby, the forward end of the tubing being turned upwardly to provide a handle portion 19 in front of the seat 17. A tubular or other shaped resilient grip 20 may be provided on the extending end of the handle portion 19. The remaining length of tubing 18 extends rearwardly and downwardly around the wheel to the level of the axle 13, and then extends straight down to a distance above ground level to provide a support portion 21. A caster 22 or other wheel may be provided on the extending end of the latter.

The attachment of the tubing 18 as best shown in FIG- URE 2 where it is offset, at 23, to receive more than onehalf of the diameter of the tubular post 15. A metal strap 24 is correspondingly offset on the other side of the post 15 and is secured at its ends to the tubing 18 by bolts 25. To further secure the tubing 18, a larger bolt 26 extends through the tubing, the tubular post 15 and the strap 24. As shown only in FIGURE 1, diagonal braces 27 extend from opposite sides of the seat post 16 to the tubing 18 fore and aft of the tubular post 15, the ends of which braces are detachably secured by bolts 28.

The form of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4 is attached to the described unicycle and is primarily comprised of parallel generally straight supports 29 extending downwardly and rearwardly from the unicycle forks 14. The extending ends of the supports 29 are joined, at 30, where they are upturned as viewed from the side. A diagonal brace 31 extends from the upper portion of each fork 14 to each support 29 intermediate its ends and which braces and supports are detachably secured by bolts 32.

When using either form of the invention, the support 21 or 29 will prevent the unicycle from darting forward and thereby cause the rider to fall on his back. Mounting and pedaling may be in accordance with the foregoing; however, the presence of the support, 21 or 29, gives the beginner confidence and the described construction of the handle 19 will not interfere with the free fall of the rider when falling forward.

What is claimed is:

1. An attachment for a unicycle including a wheel, a

perpendicular fork straddling said wheel, a tubular post projecting from said fork, a seat post received in said tubular post and a seat on said seat post, said attachment comprising a rearwardly and downwardly extending support, the extending end of said support being above ground level when said unicycle is in an upright position, means detachably securing the upper end of said support to a rigid portion of said unicycle and including at least one diagonal demountable brace between said post and said rearwardly and downwardly extending support.

2. An attachment for a unicycle as defined in claim 1 and wherein said means detachably securing the upper end of said support to a rigid portion of said unicycle includes an offset in said support partly around said tubular post and a removable bolt positioned therethrough.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 KENNETH H. BETTS, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

